8 Important Differences Between Undergraduate and Graduate School

Over the last two decades, universities across the nation have seen impressive growth in their master’s programs.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the total number of master’s degrees conferred rose 19% between 2010-11 and 2020-21. Certain fields of study, primarily business, education, and health professions, have experienced the most growth. What’s more, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in occupations requiring a master’s degree will increase by almost 17 percent from 2016 to 2026. 

The transition from high school to a college campus is huge. But what about the step from undergraduate studies to a master’s degree program? What’s the real difference between undergraduate and graduate school? Is grad school difficult? Is it hard to get in? How do you choose which degree programs are best for you? With graduate school enrollment in the US projected to increase by 6% by 2031, explore these 8 important differences between getting an undergraduate and a graduate degree.

1. Highly Specific Coursework

During an undergraduate program, students take several foundational and general subject courses, some of which are unrelated to their major. Graduate school coursework, on the other hand, is highly specific.

The goal of graduate school is to help you become an expert in your chosen field of study. Graduate school empowers you to become the master of your own education. A master’s program supports a higher level of individualized learning and offers greater professor support to serve your unique goals. You’ll develop self-awareness and self-confidence as you mature as an expert in your field.

2. Flexibility within the Program

Switching majors or even schools one to two years into an undergraduate program is doable because of the universality of the degree, similarities between programs across institutions and the time you have to complete the degree. In graduate school, however, it is not as easy to make a change to a new program or school. While not impossible, most master’s programs take one to two years to complete — so if you think you want to make a change, initiating it during your first semester is your best bet for retaining all your credit hours.

3. Admission Requirements

Undergraduate programs have a relatively simple admissions process, and commonly include submitting your high school grades, SAT or ACT scores and providing a few writing samples and letters of recommendation. Graduate school applications often require these items and more. Other common admission requirements for graduate school may include proof of a completed bachelor’s degree, GRE/GMAT scores, a minimum undergraduate GPA, a statement of purpose, a research proposal and an interview with the school. Certain graduate programs will have prerequisite course requirements, so be sure to inquire about your specific program of interest. Also, if you are an international student, check with the college or university to see if you need to provide additional documentation.

4. Course Load

Undergraduate students juggle 5-6 courses per semester, while graduate students usually take only 3 advanced level courses. These courses involve much more reading and research than undergraduate classes and typically have fewer assignments. Because there are fewer projects, papers and exams for graduate-level courses, each item is worth more and is expected to be a demonstration of your expertise in the subject.

5. Community

Undergraduate classes are often large lectures with hundreds of students, whereas graduate classes are much smaller, seminar-style meetings of under 20 students. In grad school, you will become well acquainted with the other students and the professor. With everyone’s diverse backgrounds, work and life experiences, you will learn from and challenge each other. Additionally, you will learn to work with your professors as opposed to simply completing assignments for their classes.

6. Research Experience

Research experience is valuable in almost every line of work. It teaches you to plan, think critically and logically, seek out answers to your questions and incorporate those findings into your work. Research in an undergraduate program is typically comprised of a few projects or papers, whereas in graduate school, research makes up the vast majority of learning in the classes. Depending on your program and area of interest, graduate students generally have access to advanced tools and systems that they can use for research purposes. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with professors on their research projects, learning from them and discovering your own areas of interest.

7. Professional Marketability

While an undergraduate degree allows you to apply for entry-level jobs, a graduate degree deepens your experience, expands your job market and increases your favorability in the eyes of potential employers. In a competitive market, you’ll need an edge over other job applicants. Graduate school gives you a larger network and better connections. When career advancement opportunities, promotions and leadership positions open up, your graduate degree will help you stand out as the best candidate.

8. Leadership Development

An undergraduate degree offers you a broad knowledge base, but a graduate degree sets you up to be a leader in your field. There is an eminent need for qualified leaders in today’s workforce. Through the rigors of graduate school, you will gain many of the necessary skills and character traits companies look for in their leaders. During your degree program, you’ll work as part of many teams and develop critical thinking, problem solving, time management, perseverance, commitment and communication skills — all qualities that hiring managers look for in the leaders they need.

Think graduate school at Sacred Heart University might be for you?

At Sacred Heart University, our graduate admissions team is knowledgeable about our master’s and doctoral programs and the admissions process. If you would like more information about our graduate programs or graduate school in general, talk to one of our admissions counselors today!